The Three Orders Class 11 – Concept, MCQs & Notes PDF

Topic covered: The Three Orders class 11 notes and MCQs questions: The Three Orders (All single detail notes are exam-oriented).

We have discussed in-depth and exam-oriented pointers that can be asked in the board exam of class 11th about “The Three Orders“ from the NCERT history notes for class 11th chapter 4 “The Three Orders”.

Download the NCERT History for Class 11th Chapter 4 The Three Orders Notes PDF

Download the NCERT History for Class 11th Chapter 4 The Three Orders Notes PDF for a detailed and easy-to-understand explanation of medieval European society. These notes begin with an introduction to feudalism and explain how the feudal system developed in France and England. You will clearly understand the three orders of society, focusing on the second order, the nobility, their privileges, duties, and life on the manorial estate, including the role of knights in feudal warfare.

The chapter also explains the first order, the clergy, covering monks, the Church, and its deep influence on social life, education, and moral values. Equal attention is given to the third order, peasants, both free and unfree, with specific references to England and their everyday struggles. In addition, the notes discuss factors affecting social and economic relations, the emergence of a possible fourth order with new towns, townspeople, and cathedral towns, and the major crisis of the fourteenth century, marked by social unrest and political changes. These NCERT-based notes are ideal for concept clarity, revision, and exam preparation.

The Three Orders

1. Belief of French Priests about Society:

• French priests believed society was divided into three ‘orders.’
• Membership in an order depended on a person’s work.

2. Statement of the Bishop on Social Orders:

• A bishop described society as:
• Some pray
• Others fight
• Others work

3. The Three Orders of Society:

• Clergy
• Nobility
• Peasantry

4. Clergy as an Order:

• The clergy were associated with praying.

5. Nobility as an Order:

• The nobility were associated with fighting.

6. Peasantry as an Order:

• The peasantry were associated with working.

7. Justification of Social Differences:

• In the twelfth century, Abbess Hildegard of Bingen supported social distinctions.
• She compared human society to herding different animals separately.

8. Religious Explanation for Inequality:

• Hildegard stated that differences among humans were necessary.
• She believed God created distinctions among people on earth and in heaven.

9. View on Equality:

• All people were loved by God.
• There was no equality among them.

Next & Previous Topics of NCERT/CBSE History Class 11 Chapter 4: The Three Orders

MCQs on NCERT History Class 11 Chapter 4 Topic – The Three Orders Class 11

Here are the top exam-oriented MCQ-type questions on “The Three Orders Class 11” that you should prepare for your CBSE or state board exams:

Question 1. French priests believed that society was divided into how many ‘orders’?

a) Two
b) Three
c) Four
d) Five

Answer: b) Three

Question 2. The division of society into three orders was based on:

a) Wealth
b) Birth
c) Occupation or work
d) Education

Answer: c) Occupation or work

Question 3. According to a bishop, which group of people ‘pray’?

a) Peasantry
b) Nobility
c) Clergy
d) Merchants

Answer: c) Clergy

Question 4. According to the statement, ‘others fight’ refers to:

a) Clergy
b) Peasantry
c) Nobility
d) Traders

Answer: c) Nobility

Question 5. The group that ‘worked’ in medieval society was the:

a) Clergy
b) Nobility
c) Peasantry
d) Knights

Answer: c) Peasantry

Question 6. Which of the following correctly represents the three orders of medieval society?

a) Clergy, merchants, peasants
b) Nobility, traders, workers
c) Clergy, nobility, peasantry
d) Kings, priests, soldiers

Answer: c) Clergy, nobility, peasantry

Question 7. The idea of three orders was mainly supported by:

a) Kings
b) Merchants
c) French priests
d) Peasants

Answer: c) French priests

Question 8. The statement ‘Here below, some pray, others fight, still others work’ highlights:

a) Equality in society
b) Social mobility
c) Functional division of society
d) Economic growth

Answer: c) Functional division of society

Based on Abbess Hildegard of Bingen

Question 9. Abbess Hildegard of Bingen wrote her views in the:

a) Eleventh century
b) Twelfth century
c) Thirteenth century
d) Fourteenth century

Answer: b) Twelfth century

Question 10. Abbess Hildegard compared human society to:

a) A battlefield
b) A kingdom
c) A stable of animals
d) A church

Answer: c) A stable of animals

Question 11. According to Hildegard, mixing all cattle in one stable would:

a) Increase productivity
b) Create equality
c) Cause disorder
d) Bring unity

Answer: c) Cause disorder

Question 12. The main idea behind Hildegard’s comparison was to justify:

a) Equality among humans
b) Differences among humans
c) Freedom of peasants
d) Power of kings

Answer: b) Differences among humans

Question 13. Hildegard believed that differences among humans were:

a) Man-made
b) Temporary
c) Unnecessary
d) Divinely created

Answer: d) Divinely created

Question 14. According to Hildegard, God makes distinctions:

a) Only on earth
b) Only in heaven
c) Neither in heaven nor on earth
d) In heaven as well as on earth

Answer: d) In heaven as well as on earth

Question 15. Which statement best reflects Hildegard’s views?

a) All humans are equal
b) Social hierarchy is unjust
c) God loves all but there is no equality
d) Wealth decides status

Answer: c) God loves all but there is no equality

Higher-Order / Interpretation MCQs

Question 16. The idea of ‘three orders’ mainly helped to:

a) Promote democracy
b) Justify social inequality
c) End feudalism
d) Encourage trade

Answer: b) Justify social inequality

Question 17. The medieval belief in social hierarchy was supported by:

a) Scientific reasoning
b) Religious ideas
c) Peasant revolts
d) Trade guilds

Answer: b) Religious ideas

Question 18. Which group benefited the most from the belief in three orders?

a) Peasantry
b) Merchants
c) Clergy and nobility
d) Slaves

Answer: c) Clergy and nobility

Question 19. The concept of three orders suggests that medieval society was:

a) Based on equality
b) Based on individual choice
c) Rigid and hierarchical
d) Democratic

Answer: c) Rigid and hierarchical

Question 20. The quotation by Hildegard mainly reflects the medieval belief in:

a) Social mobility
b) Natural equality
c) Divine social order
d) Political freedom

Answer: c) Divine social order